JP2010089879A - Paper sorter and image forming device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly reuse even used paper. <P>SOLUTION: Recording paper having a blank area 93a of a position deviated to the left upper side in B5 size or larter is ejected in a regenerative paper tray 72a, and recording paper having a blank area 93b of a position deviated to the left lower side in the B5 size or larger is ejected in a regenerative paper tray 72b, and recording paper having a blank area 93c of a position deviated to the right upper side in the B5 size or larger is ejected in a regenerative paper tray 72c, and recording paper having a blank area 93d of a position deviated to the right lower side in the B5 size or larger is ejected in a regenerative paper tray 72d. Recording paper having a blank area smaller than the B5 size is also ejected in a reuse impossible tray 76. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper sorting device that detects a blank area of used paper and selects a reusable paper, and an image forming apparatus including the paper sorting device.

There exists a thing of patent document 1 as this kind of conventional apparatus. Here, printing information is recorded at the leading edge and trailing edge of the paper when printing the paper, and when printing the paper again, the printing information of the paper is read and the margin area of the paper is detected. Based on the information and the margin area, a print form such as the arrangement, orientation, and scaling ratio of the image is obtained, and the image is printed in the blank area of the paper according to the print form.
JP 2006-165882 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when the paper is printed again, the margin area of the paper is detected, and the arrangement, orientation, scaling factor, and the like of the image are determined and set in accordance with the margin area. It took time to use and was not suitable for high-speed printing of paper. For example, even in a home inkjet printer, paper can be reused by the method described in Patent Document 1, but in a high-speed copying machine for business use, the printing processing speed of the paper is greatly reduced.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and provides a sheet sorting apparatus that can quickly reuse even used paper, and an image forming apparatus including the same. Is.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of trays for storing paper, a blank area detecting unit that detects a size of a blank area of the paper, and the blank area from among the trays. A paper sorting unit that selects a tray corresponding to the size of the margin area of the paper detected by the detecting unit and discharges the paper to the selected tray;

  In addition, a position determination unit that determines a position of a blank area of the paper detected by the blank area detection unit is provided, and the paper distribution unit is configured to detect a sheet detected by the blank region detection unit from each of the trays. A tray corresponding to the size of the margin area and the position of the margin area of the sheet determined by the position determination means is selected, and the sheet is discharged to the selected tray.

  Further, it comprises a position determination means for determining the position of the blank area of the paper detected by the blank area detection means and classifying the determined position into any of a plurality of position correlation groups, the paper distribution means, A tray corresponding to the size of the margin area of the sheet detected by the margin area detection unit and the position correlation group divided by the position determination unit is selected from the trays, and the sheet is loaded on the selected tray. It is discharging.

  In addition, storage means is provided for storing the order in which the plurality of sheets discharged to the tray are accommodated in correspondence with the positions of the margin areas of the respective sheets.

  Further, display means for displaying a message is provided, and each tray includes respective trays corresponding to two blank areas that overlap each other when the paper is rotated 180 degrees, and the position determination means is provided on the paper. One of the positions of the two margin areas is determined, and the sheet sorting unit is determined by the size and position determination unit of the margin area of the sheet detected by the margin area detection unit from each of the trays. The tray corresponding to the position of any one of the margin areas is selected, and the paper is discharged to the selected tray. The display means discharges the paper to one of the trays corresponding to the two margin areas. When this is done, it is displayed that the paper is rotated 180 degrees and then set again in the paper sorting apparatus.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus includes reversing means for reversing the front and back sides of the paper, and the margin area detecting means detects a margin area on one side of the paper and a margin area on the other side of the paper reversed by the reversing means. The larger one of the margin area and the margin area on the other side is selected.

  On the other hand, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described sheet sorting apparatus according to the present invention, and in the image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, the size of a blank area is set to the image from each tray of the sheet sorting apparatus. A paper feed unit is provided that selects a tray that stores paper of a size larger than that size, and pulls out a paper for forming an image from the selected tray.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the paper sorting device of the present invention, and in the image forming apparatus for forming an image on the paper, selects any one of the trays of the paper sorting device and selects the selected tray. A sheet feeding means for pulling out a sheet for forming an image is further provided.

  In addition, each tray of the sheet sorting apparatus includes a counting unit that counts the number of sheets stored in the tray, and the sheet feeding unit selects a tray having the largest number of sheets stored from each of the trays. The paper is pulled out from the selected tray.

  In the paper sorting apparatus of the present invention, a tray corresponding to the size of the margin area of the paper is selected, and the paper is discharged to the selected tray. For example, if the size of the margin area of the paper is less than the comparison reference value and the margin area is small so that it cannot be reused, a tray corresponding to the size less than the comparison reference value is selected, and If the paper is ejected and the size of the margin area of the paper is equal to or larger than the comparison reference value and the margin area is sufficiently large to be reused, a tray corresponding to the size larger than the comparison reference value is selected. Paper is discharged to this tray. For this reason, the paper drawn from the tray corresponding to the size equal to or larger than the comparison reference value can be reused immediately without detecting the blank area again.

  Further, not only the size of the margin area of the paper but also the tray corresponding to the determination result of the position of the margin area is selected, and the paper is discharged to the selected tray. For example, it is determined which of the four sides of the paper the marginal area is biased. In this case, when the sheet is reused, the position of the margin area of the sheet can be specified based on the determination result, so that the printing position accuracy with respect to the margin area is increased. In addition, even a smaller margin area can be used effectively, and more sheets can be reused.

  Further, the position of the margin area of the sheet is divided into a plurality of position correlation groups, a tray corresponding to the determination result of the position correlation group is selected, and the sheet is discharged to the selected tray. For example, even if the positions of the margin areas of two sheets are different from each other, the margin areas of both sheets may coincide when one sheet is rotated 180 degrees. The margin positions having such a relationship are treated as one position correlation group, and one tray is assigned to this position correlation group, thereby reducing the number of trays for sorting recording sheets.

  In addition, since the storing order of the plurality of sheets discharged to the tray and the position of the margin area of each sheet are stored in correspondence with each other, when the sheets are pulled out from one tray, the order is determined according to the sheet drawing order. The margin position of the paper can be acquired, and printing in the margin area can be performed accurately.

  Further, when the paper is rotated 180 degrees, respective trays corresponding to the two blank areas overlapping each other are provided, and when the paper is discharged to one of the respective trays corresponding to the positions of the two blank areas, the paper is discharged. Is rotated 180 degrees and then set again in the paper sorting apparatus. According to this display, if the paper is rotated 180 degrees and then set again in the paper sorting apparatus, the margin area of the paper is also rotated 180 degrees, so that the paper is rotated on the other side of each tray corresponding to the positions of the two margin areas. To be discharged. Thus, the other tray collectively stores a plurality of sheets having one of the two margin areas.

  Further, since the larger one of the margin area on one side of the sheet and the margin area on the other side is selected, the margin area on the larger side of the sheet can be reused.

  On the other hand, since the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the same effects can be obtained.

  In addition, a tray that stores paper whose margin area size is equal to or larger than the image size is selected from the respective trays of the paper sorting apparatus of the present invention, and a paper for forming an image is selected from the selected tray. Since the image is pulled out, the image can be reliably printed in the margin area.

  Alternatively, the tray having the largest number of sheets stored is selected from the respective trays of the sheet sorting apparatus of the present invention, and the sheet is pulled out from the selected tray, so that the tray does not overflow.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of a paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 records and forms a document image read by the document reading apparatus 101 or an image received from the outside in color or single color on a recording sheet.

  In the document reading apparatus 101, when a document is set on the document set tray 41, the document pickup roller 44 is pressed against the surface of the document and rotated, the document is pulled out from the document set tray 41, and the document is pulled out from the suction roller 45 and the separation pad 46. After passing between the sheets, the sheets are separated one by one and then conveyed to the conveyance path 47.

  In this conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document abuts on the document registration roller 49, the leading edge of the document is aligned in parallel with the document registration roller 49, and then the document is transported by the document registration roller 49 and read by the reading guide 51. Passes between the glasses 52. At this time, the light of the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52, and the reflected light is incident on the first scanning unit 53 through the reading glass 52. Then, the light is reflected by the mirrors of the second scanning units 53 and 54 and guided to the imaging lens 55, and the image of the original is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56 by the imaging lens 55. The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image. Further, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 59 via the paper discharge roller 58.

  In addition, it is possible to read a document placed on the platen glass 61. The document registration roller 49, the reading guide 51, the paper discharge tray 59, and the like and the members above them are integrated into a cover body that is pivotally supported to be opened and closed on the back side of the document reading device 101. When the upper cover body is opened, the document table glass 61 is released, and the document can be placed on the document table glass 61. When the document is placed and the cover is closed, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the first scanning unit 53 exposes the document surface on the document table glass 61. Reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, and an image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55. At this time, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and reflection of the document surface → the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 → the imaging lens 55 → the CCD 56 is performed. The positional relationship between the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the light does not change, whereby the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always maintained accurately.

  The entire image of the original read in this way is transmitted as image data to the laser exposure apparatus 1 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 records the image on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a laser exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, a paper transport path S, a paper feed tray 10, And a paper discharge tray 15 and the like.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image. Accordingly, four each of the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, and the cleaner device 4 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively provided. Four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in association with each other.

  The photoconductor drum 3 is disposed at substantially the center of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact type roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used. .

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, which exposes the surface of a charged photosensitive drum 3 according to image data and statically responds to the surface according to the image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. .

  The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, etc. stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7, and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. A transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductive drum 3, and a color toner image (each color is transferred by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the surface of each photoconductive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. Toner image). This transfer belt is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper.

  As described above, the toner images on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 and become a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 has a voltage for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet (high polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (-)). Voltage) is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller. (Elastic rubber roller, foaming resin roller, etc.).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. Therefore, the residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 to remove residual toner, and the intermediate transfer belt is driven by a driven roller 22 at a portion where the cleaning blade comes into contact. 7 The back side is supported.

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 100 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  A paper sorting device 71 is provided on the left side wall of the image forming apparatus 100. This sheet sorting device 71 has ten recycled sheet trays 72c, 72d,..., 72l, and supplies the recycled recording sheets in the respective recycled sheet trays 72c to 72l.

  The image forming apparatus 100 has an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding tray 10 to the sheet discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer device 11 and the fixing device 12. Is provided. Along the paper conveyance path S, a paper pickup roller 16, a paper registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, and a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper are arranged.

  The paper pick-up roller 16 is a calling roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance rollers are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of conveyance rollers are provided.

  The paper registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and is on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11 a of the secondary transfer device 11. The recording paper is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the color toner image is transferred onto the recording paper.

  For example, the paper registration roller 14 detects the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 based on the detection output of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). The recording paper is transported so that the leading edge is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the recording paper.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a relay conveyance path 62 that relays and conveys the regenerated recording paper supplied from the regenerated paper tray of the paper sorting apparatus 71 to the paper conveyance path S. The regenerated recording paper is transported to the paper transport path S via the relay transport path 62 and, like the recording paper on the paper feed tray 10, is transferred from the paper registration roller 14 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller of the secondary transfer device 11. It is conveyed to the nip area between 11a.

  The fixing device 12 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like. The heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 sandwich and convey the recording paper that has passed through the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled by the control unit so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature based on a detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and is transferred to the recording paper by thermocompression bonding of the recording paper together with the pressure roller 32. The toner image is melted, mixed, and pressed, and thermally fixed to the recording paper.

  The recording paper after the fixing of the toner images of the respective colors is discharged face down onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the transport roller.

  Next, the paper sorting apparatus 71 of the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the paper sorting apparatus 71 of the present embodiment.

  In the paper sorting apparatus 71 of this embodiment, a sorting set tray 73 is provided at the uppermost stage of the apparatus main body, printed recording sheets are stacked and accommodated in the sorting set tray 73, and the reproduction pickup roller 74 is set in the sorting set. The recording paper on the tray 73 is pressed and rotated to pull out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73, and the surface of the recording paper is read by the image reading sensor 75.

  Further, a non-reusable tray 76 and a re-set tray 77 are provided in the middle stage of the apparatus main body, and 10 recycled paper trays 72c to 72l are provided in the lower stage, and cannot be reused from the sorting set tray 73 via the conveyance path 78. The recording paper is selectively conveyed to the tray 76, the reset tray 77, and any one of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l.

  Conveying rollers 79 for conveying the recording paper are provided at a plurality of locations on the conveying path 78. The transport path 78 includes a plurality of branch paths 78a to 78l, discharge rollers 81a to 81l provided at the discharge ports of the branch paths 78a to 78l, and one stage higher than the lowest branch path 78l. Respective swinging claws 82a to 82k (82k not shown) arranged at the branching positions of the respective branch paths 78a to 78k (78k not shown) are provided. These swinging claws are selectively switched between a rotation position indicated by a solid line and a rotation position indicated by a broken line, and guide the recording sheet to one tray through any branch path and a discharge roller.

  Each of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l is provided with a sensor SS for confirming the discharge of the recording paper to the tray. Recycled paper pickup rollers 83 are provided in the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l. In any of the recycled paper trays, the pickup roller 83 is pressed and rotated against the recording paper on the tray, the recording paper is pulled out from the tray, and the recording paper is routed through the conveyance path 80 to the relay conveyance path 62 of the image forming apparatus 100. To send to. In the image forming apparatus 100, as described above, the recording paper from the recycled paper tray of the paper sorting device 71 is relayed through the relay transport path 62 and transported to the paper transport path S, and further, the paper for printing the recording paper. Transport along the transport path S.

  Further, a reverse conveyance path 84 that branches from the middle of the conveyance path 78 to the introduction port 78p of the conveyance path 78 is provided, and a swinging claw 85 is provided at a branch position of the reverse conveyance path 84. A branch path 86 is provided in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 84, a discharge roller 87 is provided at the entrance / exit of the branch path 86, and a reverse table 88 is provided on the extension of the entrance / exit of the branch path 86. When the swinging claw 85 is switched from the solid line to the dotted rotational position, the recording sheet is guided from the conveyance path 78 to the reverse conveyance path 84 and the lower curved surface of the curved portion 89 protruding inside the reverse conveyance path 84. Curved along 89 a, led to the branch path 86, and discharged onto the reversing table 88 through the discharge roller 87. In the middle of this discharge, the discharge roller 87 is temporarily stopped and reversely rotated. The leading edge of the recording sheet is guided to the upper upper curved surface 89c by the sharp tip 89b of the curved portion 89, and the recording paper is curved along the upper curved surface 89c of the curved portion 89 and conveyed above the reverse conveying path 84. Further, the recording paper is conveyed to the introduction port 78p of the conveyance path 78 and returned. That is, the recording sheet is guided from the conveyance path 78 to the reverse conveyance path 84 and conveyed in the reverse direction while being discharged onto the reversal table 88, returned to the conveyance path 78, and its front and back are reversed. .

  Such a sheet sorting apparatus 71 is driven and controlled by the control unit 91 of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, the control unit 91 of the image forming apparatus 100 controls not only the image forming apparatus 100 but also the paper sorting apparatus 71.

  Here, when a plurality of printed recording sheets are set on the sorting set tray 73, the recording sheets are detected by a sensor (not shown) of the sorting set tray 73, and the detection output of this sensor is detected by the control unit 91. Is input. Further, the size of the printed recording paper is detected by this sensor, or the size of the printed recording paper is instructed by operation of an operation unit (not shown), and the size of the recording paper is input to the control unit 91. .

  When the control unit 91 inputs the detection output of the recording paper by the sensor or receives an instruction by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit 91 determines the size of the recording paper based on the detection output or instruction, and determines the size of the determined recording paper The comparison reference size corresponding to is obtained and set. Then, the control unit 91 presses and rotates the reproduction pickup roller 74 against the recording paper on the sorting set tray 73, pulls out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73, and causes the image reading sensor 75 to display the image on the recording paper. The recording paper is conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 79 and the discharge rollers 81a to 81l. When the image reading sensor 75 reads the image on the recording sheet, the image reading sensor 75 outputs image data indicating the image on the recording sheet to the control unit 91.

  When the image data is input, the control unit 91 determines the maximum margin area on the recording sheet based on the image of the recording sheet indicated by the image data, and extracts the maximum margin area.

  Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area of the recording paper, and determines whether the size of the margin area is equal to or larger than the previously set comparison reference size. Further, if the size of the margin area of the recording sheet is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size, the control unit 91 determines the position of the margin area on the recording sheet, and based on the determined size and position of the margin area. The rotational positions of the swinging claws 82a to 82k of the branch paths 78a to 78k are selectively switched to guide the recording paper to one of the non-reusable tray 76 and the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l.

  For example, when the size of the recording paper detected by the sensor or designated by the operation of the operation unit is A4 (JIS standard), A5 (JIS standard) is set as the comparison reference size, and FIG. Blank areas 93a to 93d at four positions on the recording paper 92 as shown in (d) and blank areas 94a to 94f at six positions on the recording paper 92 as shown in FIGS. Identify and judge. The blank areas 93a to 93d at the four positions are B5 size or larger, and the blank areas 94a to 94f at the six positions are A5 size or larger and smaller than the B5 size.

  The margin area 93a in FIG. 3 (a) is at a position biased to the upper left of the recording paper 92, and the margin area 93b in FIG. 3 (b) is at a position offset to the lower left of the recording paper 92, as shown in FIG. The margin area 93c is located at a position biased to the upper right of the recording paper 92, and the margin area 93d shown in FIG. Also, the six blank areas 94a to 94f in FIGS. 4A to 4F are also offset in the vertical and horizontal directions of the recording paper 92, respectively.

  The blank areas 93a to 93d at the four positions are associated with the four recycled paper trays 72c to 72f, and the six blank areas 94a to 94f are the six recycled paper trays from the lower level than the recycled paper tray 72f. 72g (72g is not shown) to 72l.

  When the control unit 91 determines the margin area 93a that is B5 size or larger and is biased to the upper left, the control unit 91 maintains the swing claws 82a, 82b, and 82d to 82l at the solid line positions, and the swing claws of the branch path 78c. By switching 82c to the position of the dotted line, the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72c and discharged. When the control unit 91 determines the blank area 93b that is B5 size or more and is biased to the lower left, the control unit 91 maintains the swinging claws 82a to 82c and 82e to 82l at the solid line positions, and the swinging pawls of the branch path 78d. By switching 82d to the position of the dotted line, the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72d and discharged. Similarly, when the control unit 91 determines a blank area 93c that is B5 size or more and is biased to the upper right, the control unit 91 maintains the swing claws 82a to 82d and 82f to 82l at the solid line positions, and swings the branch path 78e. When the claw 82e is switched to the position of the dotted line, the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72e and discharged, and when the blank area 93d at the B5 size or more and biased to the lower right is determined, the swinging claw 82a to 82e, 82g. -82l is maintained at the position of the solid line, the swinging claw 82f of the branch path 78f is switched to the position of the dotted line, and the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72f and discharged.

  Similarly, when the control unit 91 determines the blank areas 94a to 94f in FIGS. 4A to 4F, the control unit 91 selectively switches the swing claws 82a to 82k to record these blank areas 94a to 94f. The paper is sorted into the respective recycled paper trays 72g to 72l and discharged.

  If the control unit 91 determines that the size of the margin area is less than the A5 size, the control unit 91 maintains the swinging claws 82a and 82c to 82l at the solid line positions, and the swinging claw 82b of the branch path 78b at the dotted line position. And the recording paper is guided to the non-reusable tray 76 and discharged.

  Accordingly, a recording sheet having a margin area 93a that is B5 size or larger and biased to the upper left is discharged to the recycled paper tray 72c, and a recording sheet that is B5 size or larger and has a margin area 93b that is biased to the lower left is recycled paper tray 72d. The recording paper having a margin area 93c of B5 size or larger and biased to the upper right is ejected to the recycled paper tray 72e, and the recording paper having the margin area 93d of B5 size or larger and biased to the lower right is reproduced. The paper is discharged to the paper tray 72f. Similarly, recording sheets having A5 size or larger and blank areas 94a to 94f at the respective positions as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F are sorted and discharged to the respective recycled sheet trays 72g to 72l. In addition, a recording sheet having a margin area less than A5 size is discharged to the non-reusable tray 76.

  Thus, since the margin area of the recording paper discharged to each of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l is A5 size or more, it can be used effectively for printing, and the recording paper can be reused. Hereinafter, the recording paper discharged to each of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l is referred to as a recycled recording paper.

  Further, since the blank area of the recording paper discharged to the non-reusable tray 76 is less than A5 size, it is not suitable for reuse, and disposal is considerable.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the use of the reproduction recording paper is instructed by operating the operation unit (not shown), in response to this, the control unit 91 instead of pulling out the recording paper from the paper feed tray 10. Then, the regenerated recording paper is pulled out from any one of the regenerated paper trays 72c to 72l, and the regenerated recording paper is transported to the paper transport path S via the relay transport path 62, and printing processing on the regenerated recording paper is executed. At this time, since the size and the position of the margin area of the reproduction recording paper in each of the reproduction paper trays 72c to 72l are determined, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area corresponding to the reproduction paper tray from which the reproduction recording paper is pulled out. The position is obtained, and the printing process is promptly executed so that the image is printed in the margin area of the reproduction recording sheet. Specifically, the formation area of the electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 formed by the laser exposure apparatus 1 is aligned with the blank area of the reproduction recording paper.

  The control unit 91 compares the image size with the B5 size and the A5 size when the recycled recording paper is pulled out and supplied from any of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l, and the image size is equal to or smaller than the A5 size. If there is, the regenerated recording paper having the A5 size margin area is pulled out from any one of the regenerated paper trays 72g to 72l. If the image size exceeds the A5 size and is equal to or smaller than the B5 size, the regenerated paper trays 72c to 72c. 72f is used to pull out the regenerated recording paper having a B5 size margin area, and if the image size exceeds the B5 size, instead of pulling out the regenerated recording paper of each of the regenerated paper trays 72c to 72l, the paper feed tray Pull out 10 unused recording sheets. This makes it possible to reliably print an image on a blank area or an unused recording sheet while using a reproduction recording sheet having a narrower margin area. Note that when the image size exceeds the B5 size, instead of using unused recording paper in the paper feed tray 10, the image size is reduced to the B5 size or less, and reproduction recording having a B5 size blank area is performed. The paper may be pulled out and the reduced image may be printed in the margin area of the reproduction recording paper.

  Further, the control unit 91 counts up and counts down the number of reproduction recording sheets on the tray for each reproduction sheet tray when the reproduction recording sheets are distributed to the respective reproduction sheet trays 72c to 72l and discharged or supplied. To do. Then, when the image size is A5 size or less, the control unit 91 selects the recycled paper tray having the largest number of recycled recording sheets from among the recycled paper trays 72g to 72l, and selects the selected recycled paper. When the playback recording paper is pulled out from the tray, and the image size exceeds the A5 size and is equal to or less than the B5 size, the playback paper tray having the largest number of playback recording paper is selected from the playback paper trays 72c to 72f. Then, the recycled recording paper is pulled out from the selected recycled paper tray. Thereby, the deviation of the number of the regenerated recording sheets in each of the regenerated sheet trays 72c to 72l can be suppressed, and the situation where one recycled sheet tray overflows can be prevented.

  Further, the control unit 91 may print the image at the position of the margin area of the reproduction recording paper, and at the same time, print a line bordering the margin area or a mark such as “” on the reproduction recording paper. Thus, it is possible to clearly distinguish an image printed in the margin area on the reproduction recording sheet from other images outside the margin area, or to accurately cut out the margin area.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the recording paper sorting procedure by such a paper sorting device 71 will be described in an organized manner.

  First, when the control unit 91 inputs the detection output of the recording paper by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73 or receives an instruction by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit 91 determines the size of the recording paper based on the detection output or the instruction. Then, a comparison reference size corresponding to the determined recording paper size is obtained and set (step S201). Then, the control unit 91 drives and controls the reproduction pickup roller 74 to pull out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73 (step S202), and causes the image reading sensor 75 to read the image of the recording paper (step S203). Then, the recording rollers are conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 79 and the discharging rollers 81a to 81l.

  When the image data from the image reading sensor 75 is input, the control unit 91 determines the maximum margin area based on the image of the recording paper indicated by the image data, and extracts the maximum margin area (step S204).

  Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S205), determines whether the size of the margin area is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (step S206), and determines the margin of the recording sheet. If the size of the area is smaller than the comparison reference size (“No” in step S206), the rotational positions of the swing claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched, and the recording paper is led to the non-reusable tray 76. Discharge (step S207).

  If the size of the margin area of the recording sheet is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (“Yes” in step S206), the control unit 91 determines the position of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S208). Depending on the size and position of the paper, one of the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l is selected (step S209), and the rotational position of each of the swinging claws 82a to 82k is selectively switched (step S210), and the selected recycled paper is selected. Guide the recording paper to the tray and eject it. Then, the control unit 91 counts up the number of reproduction recording sheets on the selected reproduction sheet tray (step S211).

  Similarly, as long as the recording paper on the tray 73 is detected by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73, the processing of steps S201 to S211 is repeated, and the recording paper is pulled out from the sorting set tray 73 and re-executed. The unusable tray 76 and the recycled paper trays 72c to 72l are sorted.

  Further, the count down of the number of the regenerated recording sheets on the regenerated sheet tray is performed every time the regenerated recording sheet is pulled out from the regenerated sheet tray and conveyed to the sheet conveying path S via the relay conveying path 62 of the image forming apparatus 100. Done.

  Note that the size of the recording paper and the comparison reference size may be changed or increased or decreased. For example, B5, B4, etc. can be set as the size of the recording paper, and A5, A4, etc. can be set as the size of the margin area. If the number of recycled paper trays is increased in accordance with the diversification of the recording paper size, etc., the recycled paper tray is selected according to the size of the recording paper, the size and position of the margin area, and the recording paper is discharged to the selected tray. Good.

  Next, a second embodiment of the paper sorting apparatus will be described. The sheet sorting apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the apparatus 71 of FIG. 2 and is used by being attached to the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, but is set on the sorting set tray 73. The printed recording paper is sorted into a smaller number of recycled paper trays.

  In the present embodiment, when the recording paper is rotated 180 degrees, it is noted that there are two blank areas that overlap each other, and the recording paper having these blank areas is arranged in a state where these blank areas are aligned. A single recycled paper tray is collectively discharged.

  The outline of the operation is as follows. Each time a printed recording sheet set on the sorting set tray 73 is pulled out, the position of two blank areas overlapping each other is determined by rotating the recording sheet 180 degrees. When one of the margin areas is determined, the recording sheet having the determined one margin area is guided to one recycled paper tray and discharged. When the other of the two margin areas is determined, the other margin is determined. The recording paper having the area is guided to the resetting tray 77 and discharged. The user rotates the recording sheet on the reset tray 77 by 180 degrees, sets it again on the sorting set tray 73, and sorts the recording sheets again. Since the position of the margin area of the re-set recording sheet is determined to be one of the positions of the two margin areas after the recording sheet is rotated 180 degrees, the recording having one of the determined margin areas is performed. The paper is guided to one recycled paper tray and discharged. As a result, in a state where the two blank areas are aligned so as to overlap, the regenerated recording sheets having these blank areas are discharged together in one regenerated sheet tray.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, when the four margin areas 93a to 93d of the A4 size recording sheet are determined, the margin areas 93a in FIG. 3A and those in FIG. Since the margin area 93d overlaps each other when the recording sheet is rotated 180 degrees, when the margin area 93d of the recording sheet is determined, the rotation positions of the swinging claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched to change the recording sheet. When the paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72c and discharged, and the margin area 93a of the recording paper is determined, the rotational positions of the swing claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched, and the recording paper is guided to the reset tray 77 and discharged. . When the user takes out the recording paper on the reset tray 77 and rotates it 180 degrees and then sets it again on the sorting set tray 73, the position of the blank area of the recording paper is changed from FIG. 3 (a) to FIG. 3 (d). Therefore, the margin area 93d of the recording paper is determined, and this recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72c and discharged. As a result, the regenerated recording paper having the margin area 93d shown in FIG. 3D is collectively discharged to one regenerated paper tray 72c.

  Similarly, since the margin area 93b in FIG. 3B and the margin area 93c in FIG. 3C are in a mutually overlapping relationship when the recording paper is rotated 180 degrees, the margin area 93c of the recording paper is determined. When the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72d and discharged, and the margin area 93b of the recording paper is determined, the recording paper is guided to the reset tray 77 and discharged. Then, the recording paper on the resetting tray 77 is taken out and rotated 180 degrees, and then set again on the sorting set tray 73. The margin area 93c of this recording paper is determined, and this recording paper is placed in the recycled paper tray 72d. Guide and discharge. As a result, the regenerated recording paper having the margin area 93c shown in FIG. 3C is collectively discharged to one regenerated paper tray 72d.

  Also, the margin area 94a in FIG. 4 (a) and the margin area 94d in FIG. 4 (d), the margin area 94b in FIG. 4 (b), the margin area 94f in FIG. 4 (f), and the margin area in FIG. 4 (c). 94c and the margin area 94e in FIG. 4 (e) overlap each other when the recording paper is rotated 180 degrees, so the margin areas in FIG. 4 (a), FIG. 4 (b), and FIG. Each of the recording sheets is guided to the three recycled paper trays and discharged. 4D, 4E, and 4F, the respective recording sheets having the margin areas are guided to the resetting tray 77 and discharged, and then each recording sheet on the resetting tray 77 is discharged. After taking out and rotating 180 degrees, they are set again on the sorting set tray 73, the positions of the margin areas of these recording papers are determined, and these recording papers are distributed to the three recycled paper trays.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when the regenerated recording paper is pulled out from any of the regenerated paper trays and used, the size and position of the margin area of the regenerated recording paper in each regenerated paper tray are determined. The size and position of the margin area corresponding to the recycled paper tray is obtained, and the printing process is controlled so that the image is printed in the margin area of the reproduced recording paper.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a procedure for discharging the respective recording sheets having two blank areas that overlap each other when rotated by 180 degrees into one recycled sheet tray will be described. .

  First, when the control unit 91 inputs the detection output of the recording paper by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73 or receives an instruction by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit 91 determines the size of the recording paper based on the detection output or the instruction. Then, a comparison reference size corresponding to the determined recording paper size is obtained and set (step S301). Then, the control unit 91 drives and controls the reproduction pickup roller 74 to pull out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73 (step S302), and causes the image reading sensor 75 to read the image of the recording paper (step S303). Then, the recording rollers are conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 79 and the discharging rollers 81a to 81l.

  When the image data from the image reading sensor 75 is input, the control unit 91 determines the maximum margin area based on the image on the recording paper indicated by the image data, and extracts the maximum margin area (step S304).

  Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S305), determines whether the size of the margin area is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (step S306), and determines the margin of the recording sheet. If the size of the area is smaller than the comparison reference size (“No” in step S306), the rotational positions of the swinging claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched, and the recording paper is led to the non-reusable tray 76. It discharges (step S307).

  If the size of the margin area of the recording sheet is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (“Yes” in step S306), the control unit 91 determines the position of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S308). It is determined whether or not the margin area is on the right side (step S309).

  For example, if the control unit 91 determines the position of the blank area 93d in FIG. 3D and determines that this position is on the right side (“Yes” in step S309), each swing claw 82a, 82b is determined. , 82d to 82l are maintained at the solid line position, the swinging claw 82c of the branch path 78c is switched to the dotted line position (step S310), and the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72c and discharged (step S311). Similarly, if the control unit 91 determines the position of the blank area 93c in FIG. 3C and determines that this position is closer to the right side (“Yes” in step S309), each swing claw 82a˜ 82c and 82e to 82l are maintained at the solid line positions, the swinging claw 82d of the branch path 78d is switched to the dotted line position (step S310), and the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72d and discharged (step S311).

  Further, the control unit 91 determines the position of the blank area 93a in FIG. 3A or the position of the blank area 93b in FIG. 3B, and determines that these positions are on the left side (step S309). "No"), the rocking claws 82b to 82l are maintained at the solid line positions, the rocking claws 82a of the branch path 78a are switched to the dotted line positions, and the recording paper is guided to the reset tray 77 and discharged ( Step S312).

  At this time, the control unit 91 displays a message prompting the user to take out the recording sheet on the reset tray 77 and rotate it 180 degrees and then set it again on the sorting set tray 73 on the display screen of the sheet sorting apparatus 71 ( (Not shown) (step S313). The user rotates the recording sheet on the reset tray 77 by 180 degrees and then sets it again on the sorting set tray 73. As a result, the position of the margin area of the recording sheet is switched from FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D or from FIG. 3B to FIG. 3C.

  Thereafter, when the processing from step S301 is repeated, it is determined whether or not the position of the margin area of the recording sheet is on the right side (step S309), and the position of the margin area 93d in FIG. If it is determined that the sheet is shifted (“Yes” in step S309), the recording sheet is guided to the recycled sheet tray 72c and discharged. If it is determined that the position of the blank area 93c in FIG. 3C is on the right side (“Yes” in step S309), the recording paper is guided to the recycled paper tray 72d and discharged.

  As a result, the regenerated recording paper having the margin area 93d in FIG. 3D is collectively discharged to the regenerated paper tray 72c, and the regenerated recording paper having the margin area 93c in FIG. 3C is collected in the regenerated paper tray 72d. Discharged.

  Similarly, for the recording sheets of FIGS. 4A to 4F, the recording sheets having the margin areas of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are placed in three recycled sheet trays, respectively. 4d, 4e, and 4f are guided to the reset tray 77 and discharged to the reset tray 77. Each recording sheet is taken out and rotated 180 degrees and then set again on the sorting set tray 73. The positions of the margin areas of these recording sheets are determined, and these recording sheets are distributed to the three recycled sheet trays.

  Next, a third embodiment of the paper sorting apparatus will be described. The sheet sorting apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the apparatus 71 of FIG. 2 and is used by being attached to the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. Are collectively discharged into one recycled paper tray, and the stacking order of the recording sheets on the recycled sheet tray and the position of the blank area of each recording sheet are stored in association with each other. For this storage, for example, a memory built in the control unit 91 or a peripheral storage device (not shown) can be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, each time a recording sheet 92 having a marginal area of approximately B5 size is discharged to the recycled sheet tray 72c, the stacking order 1 is set on each recording sheet 92 on the recycled sheet tray 72c. 2,... Are assigned, and the positions of the margin areas (upper left side, lower left side, upper right side, lower right side, etc.) of each recording sheet 92 are associated with each other and stored in the memory. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, each time the recording paper 92 is pulled out from the recycled paper tray 72c and supplied to the image forming apparatus 100, the stacking order 1 of each recording paper 92 on the recycled paper tray 72c, 2 are deleted from the larger one, and the position of the margin area of the recording paper 92 associated with the deleted stacking order is deleted from the memory.

  Similarly, each time a recording sheet 92 having a margin area of approximately A5 size is discharged to one recycled sheet tray, each recording sheet 92 is assigned a stacking order 1, 2,. The position of the margin area of each recording sheet 92 is associated and stored in the memory. Each time the recording paper 92 is pulled out from the recycled paper tray and supplied to the image forming apparatus 100, the stacking order 1, 2,... The positions of the margin areas of the recording sheets 92 that are sequentially associated are deleted from the memory.

  As described above, if the stacking order of the reproduction recording sheets on the reproduction sheet tray and the position of the margin area of each reproduction recording sheet are stored in the memory in association with each other, the image forming apparatus 100 side can store the B5 size or A5 size. When a recycled paper tray of a recycled recording paper having a margin area is selected, and the reproduced recording paper on the selected recycled paper tray is sequentially pulled out and used, the margin area of the reproduced recording paper corresponding to the stacking order of the reproduced recording sheets is used. The position can be read from the memory, and printing can be performed with high accuracy in the blank area at the read position.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the procedure for storing the stacking order of the respective reproduction recording sheets on the reproduction sheet tray and the position of the margin area of each reproduction recording sheet in association with each other is organized. I will explain.

  First, when the control unit 91 inputs the detection output of the recording paper by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73 or receives an instruction by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit 91 determines the size of the recording paper based on the detection output or the instruction. Then, a comparison reference size corresponding to the determined recording paper size is obtained and set (step S401). Then, the control unit 91 drives and controls the reproduction pickup roller 74 to pull out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73 (step S402), and causes the image reading sensor 75 to read the image of the recording paper (step S403). Then, the recording rollers are conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 79 and the discharging rollers 81a to 81l.

  When the image data from the image reading sensor 75 is input, the control unit 91 determines the maximum margin area based on the image of the recording paper indicated by the image data, and extracts the maximum margin area (step S404).

  Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S405), determines whether the size of the margin area is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (step S406), and determines the margin of the recording sheet. If the size of the area is less than the comparison reference size (“No” in step S406), the rotational positions of the swinging claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched to guide the recording paper to the non-reusable tray 76. It discharges (step S407).

  If the size of the margin area of the recording sheet is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (“Yes” in step S406), the control unit 91 determines the position of the margin area of the recording sheet (step S408). Further, the control unit 91 selects any one of the recycled paper trays according to the size of the margin area, and the recording paper stacking order continues in the stacking order of the recording papers 92 on the selected recycled paper tray. Is set, and the position of the blank area determined in step S408 is associated in the next stacking order on the selected recycled paper tray and stored in the memory built in the control unit 91 (step S409).

  Then, the control unit 91 selectively switches the rotation position of each of the swinging claws 82a to 82k (step S410), and guides and discharges the recording paper to the selected recycled paper tray (step S411).

  Similarly, as long as the recording paper on the tray 73 is detected by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73, the processes in steps S401 to S411 are repeated, and the blank area of the recording paper is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size. Then, a recycled paper tray corresponding to the size of the margin area is selected, and the position of the margin area of the recording sheet is stored in the memory in association with the selected stacking order in the next recycled paper tray.

  Therefore, for each recycled paper tray, the positions of the margin areas are associated with each other and stored in the memory in the stacking order of the respective reproduced recording sheets.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when selecting one of the recycled paper trays and pulling out the recycled recording paper from the selected recycled paper tray, the blank area corresponding to the stacking order of the reproduced recording paper on the selected recycled paper tray Is read from the memory, and printing is performed with high accuracy in the blank area at the read position.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the paper sorting apparatus will be described. The sheet sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the apparatus 71 in FIG. 2 and is used by being attached to the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. Is selected, and the recording paper having the wider margin area is faced up and discharged onto the recycled paper tray. Thereby, a wider blank area can be obtained, and printing in the blank area can be performed with a margin.

  In order to select a wider one of the margin areas on the front and back sides of the recording paper, the recording paper is pulled out from the sorting set tray 73, the front side of the recording paper is read by the image reading sensor 75, and then the recording paper is reversed from the conveyance path 78. After leading to the conveyance path 84 and inverting the front and back sides of the recording paper in the reverse conveyance path 84, the back side of the recording paper is read by the image reading sensor 75 to extract the maximum margin area and the maximum margin area on the back side of the recording sheet. Then, the wider one of these margin areas may be selected.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the wider one of the margin areas on the front and back sides of the recording paper is selected, and the recording paper surface with the wider margin area is faced up to the recycled paper tray. The procedure for discharging is organized and explained.

  First, when the control unit 91 inputs the detection output of the recording paper by the sensor of the sorting set tray 73 or receives an instruction by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit 91 determines the size of the recording paper based on the detection output or the instruction. Then, a comparison reference size corresponding to the determined recording paper size is obtained and set (step S501). Then, the control unit 91 drives and controls the reproduction pickup roller 74 to pull out the recording paper from the sorting set tray 73 (step S502), and causes the image reading sensor 75 to read the recording paper table (step S503). The conveying rollers 79 and the discharge rollers 81a to 81l are rotated to convey the recording paper.

  When the image data from the image reading sensor 75 is input, the control unit 91 determines the maximum margin area based on the image on the recording sheet table indicated by the image data, and extracts the maximum margin area (step S504).

  Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area of the recording sheet table (step S505), determines whether the size of the margin area is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (step S506), and records the recording sheet table. If the size of the blank area is smaller than the comparison reference size (“No” in step S506), the rotational position of each of the swinging claws 82a to 82k is selectively switched, and the recording sheet table is not reusable tray 76. Is discharged (step S507).

  If the size of the margin area of the recording sheet table is equal to or larger than the comparison reference size (“Yes” in step S506), the control unit 91 determines the position of the margin area of the recording sheet table (step S508).

  Thereafter, the control unit 91 switches the swinging claw 85 from the solid line to the dotted rotational position, guides the recording sheet from the conveyance path 78 to the reverse conveyance path 84, and places the recording sheet on the reverse table 88 through the discharge roller 87. In the middle of the discharge, the discharge roller 87 is temporarily stopped and reversely rotated, the recording paper is returned to the transport path 78, and the recording paper is turned over (step S509).

  Subsequently, the control unit 91 causes the image reading sensor 75 to read the back side of the recording paper (step S510), and determines the maximum margin area based on the image on the back side of the recording paper indicated by the image data from the image reading sensor 75. The maximum blank area is extracted (step S511). Then, the control unit 91 determines the size of the margin area on the back side of the recording sheet (step S512), and determines the position of the margin area on the back side of the recording sheet (step S513).

  Next, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the size of the margin area of the recording sheet table obtained in step S505 is larger than the size of the margin area on the back side of the recording sheet obtained in step S512 (step S514).

  For example, if the size of the margin area on the recording sheet table is larger than the size of the margin area on the back side of the recording sheet (“Yes” in step S514), the control unit 91 transfers the recording sheet from the conveyance path 78 via the reverse conveyance path 84. Then, the sheet is returned again to the conveyance path 78, and the front and back of the recording paper are reversed again (step S515). As a result, the recording sheet table is returned to the upper side.

  Thereafter, the control unit 91 selects one of the recycled paper trays according to the size and position of the margin area of the recording paper table obtained in steps S505 and S508 (step S516), and the swinging claws 82a to 82k. The rotation position is selectively switched (step S517), the recording paper table is turned up, and the recording paper is guided to the selected recycled paper tray and discharged (step S518).

  If the size of the margin area on the front side of the recording paper is not larger than the size of the margin area on the back side of the recording paper (“No” in step S514), the control unit 91 does not invert the front and back sides of the recording paper again. One of the recycled paper trays is selected according to the size and position of the margin area on the back side of the recording paper obtained in steps S512 and S513 (step S519), and the rotational positions of the swinging claws 82a to 82k are selectively switched. (Step S517), the recording paper is directed to the selected recycled paper tray with the back side of the recording paper facing up and discharged (Step S518).

  Accordingly, each recycled paper tray is ejected with the surface of the recording paper having the wider margin area on the upper side.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the surface of the recording paper having the wider margin area is turned upward, the recording paper is pulled out from any one of the recycled paper trays, and the wider margin area of the upper surface of the recording paper is set. Print the image. For this reason, an image can be printed on the recording paper with a margin. Of course, since the size and position of the margin area of the recording paper of each recycled paper tray are determined, the size and position of the margin area corresponding to the recycled paper tray from which the recycled recording paper is drawn out are obtained, and the margin area of the reproduced recording paper is obtained. Images can be printed quickly.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood. For example, the first to fourth embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combination.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of a paper sorting apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the paper sorting apparatus of FIG. (a)-(d) is a figure which illustrates the margin area | region of four positions of a recording paper. (a)-(f) is a figure which illustrates the margin area | region of six positions of a recording paper. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a recording paper sorting procedure by the paper sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the recording paper sorting procedure by the paper sorting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. (a) shows the position of the margin area associated with the recording paper stacking order when it is discharged to the recycled paper tray, and (b) shows the recording paper stacking order when it is pulled out from the recycled paper tray. It is a figure which shows the position of the blank area | region to be performed. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recording paper sorting procedure performed by a paper sorting apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the recording paper sorting procedure by the paper sorting apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser exposure apparatus 2 Developing apparatus 3 Photoconductor drum 4 Cleaner apparatus 5 Charger 7 Intermediate transfer belt 8 Intermediate transfer belt apparatus 10 Paper feed tray 11 Secondary transfer apparatus 12 Fixing apparatus 14 Paper registration roller 15 Paper discharge tray 31 Heating roller 32 Pressure roller 41 Document set tray 44 Document pickup roller 53 First scanning unit 54 Second scanning unit 55 Imaging lens 56 CCD
71 Paper Sorting Devices 72c to 72l Recycled Paper Tray 73 Sorting Set Tray 74 Reproducing Pickup Roller 75 Image Reading Sensor 76 Non-Reusable Tray 77 Resetting Tray 78 Conveying Paths 78a to 78l, 86 Branching Path 79 Conveying Rollers 81a to 81l Discharge Rollers 82a to 82f, 85 Swing claw 83 Recycled paper pickup roller 84 Reverse conveyance path 87 Discharge roller 88 Reverse table 91 Control unit 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Document reading apparatus S Paper conveyance path

Claims (9)

A plurality of trays for storing paper;
Margin area detection means for detecting the size of the margin area of the paper;
A paper sorting unit that selects a tray corresponding to the size of the margin area of the sheet detected by the margin area detection unit from the trays, and discharges the sheet to the selected tray; Paper sorting device. Position determining means for determining the position of the margin area of the paper detected by the margin area detecting means;
The paper distribution unit selects a tray according to the size of the blank area of the paper detected by the blank area detection unit and the position of the blank area of the paper determined by the position determination unit from the trays. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper is discharged to the selected tray. A position determination unit that determines a position of a blank area of the sheet detected by the blank area detection unit and classifies the determined position into any of a plurality of position correlation groups;
The paper sorting means selects a tray according to the size of the margin area of the paper detected by the margin area detection means and the position correlation group divided by the position determination means from the trays. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper is discharged to a selected tray.   4. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores a storage order of a plurality of sheets discharged to the tray in correspondence with a margin area position of each sheet. A display means for displaying a message;
Each tray includes a tray corresponding to two blank areas that overlap each other when the paper is rotated 180 degrees,
The position determining means determines one of the positions of the two margin areas on the paper;
The paper distribution unit selects a tray according to the size of the blank area detected by the blank area detection unit and the position of any blank area determined by the position determination unit from the trays. To eject the paper to this selected tray,
The display means displays, when paper is discharged to one of the respective trays corresponding to the two blank areas, rotating the paper by 180 degrees and then setting it again on the paper sorting device. The sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet sorting apparatus is characterized in that: Inversion means to invert the front and back of the paper,
The margin area detecting means detects a margin area on one side of the sheet and a margin area on the other side of the sheet reversed by the inversion means, and the larger one of the margin area on the one side of the sheet and the margin area on the other side of the sheet. 2. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper surface is selected. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1 and forming an image on a sheet.
Paper feeding means for selecting a tray containing paper whose margin area size is equal to or larger than the size of the image from each tray of the paper sorting apparatus, and pulling out paper for forming an image from the selected tray An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1 and forming an image on a sheet.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding unit that selects any one of the trays of the sheet sorting apparatus and pulls out a sheet for forming an image from the selected tray. For each tray of the paper sorting device, comprising a counting means for counting the number of sheets stored in the tray,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the paper feeding unit selects a tray having the largest number of sheets from among the trays and pulls out the paper from the selected tray.

Images